Created as a farewell tour for the band Jane's Addiction back in 1991, Lollapalooza has grown into a monster destination event for the city of Chicago bringing music fans and revenue from all over the world. Windy City Times chased down its front man, Perry Farrell, for a Nunn on One interview.
Perry Farrell: Jerry! What's happening?
Windy City Times: How are you, Perry? I went to the first Lollapalooza back in the day in Cleveland. The festival has been getting bigger every year as far as attendance, correct?
PF: It is. When we were first started out. We would have, I would say, between 10 to 20 thousand kids. You know it's funny because this was before amphitheaters. So, I honestly think looking at the amount of people Lollapalooza was drawing in kind of has detailed these amphitheaters to contain about that size of group of people. And the amphitheaters had kind of run out of options, per se. It was really a kind of destructive set-up, a very destructive arrangement over the years to have these amphitheater that didn't feel as good as the prior year.
WCT: How did it wind up in Chicago?
PF: It ran its course until about 1997, when we decided to take a break and we didn't really have any options. Then years later we came back and decided to make it a destination music festival and look for a beautiful location, a park, a field or land. We came back, I think, in 2005 and we had about 40 to 50 thousand people who came to that show. Now, I think it's on its seventh year in Chicago and it's grown to number of over a quarter of million people in a course of three days. Isn't that crazy?
WCT: Wow. That is crazy. Of course, it's great for our city, Chicago. It brings in a lot of people from all over.
PF: Oh, yeah. To the city itself, just between the hotels and the restaurants, I think it brings to the city near 30 million dollars. Everybody is getting paid. If I can say, the clubs themselves are also making money because of the after parties.
WCT: Yeah, it's a huge weekend. Lilith Fair was a few weeks ago and had trouble with ticket sales. Is it easier to do the one destination event instead of doing it all over like Sarah?
PF: You know, I just want to say, that it's its own organism, festivals. Even these tours or individual tours—they are their own beasts. You have to look at each and every one of them as a child. Although they're in a family they each have their own unique personality. I find that today because of some of the issues, that I just discussed like the amphitheater.
The amphitheater, for shows like Lollapalooza, doesn't work. It might work for someone, I don't know, like Bonnie Raitt or James Taylor. You know, you sit down and relax. You're there with a date. So, you're not really moving and shaking. Something like Lollapalooza, it has high rock-and-roll and high-impact dance. You want to be loose and you want to be boppin' around. You want be on the grass and you want to be in open air. All of those things are truly wonderful and you have look for it.
And you have to take your time more. Some of the tours that are put together are snap-in situations. Next year we are going to have our 20th anniversary for Lollapalooza. I've had a really good long time to learn about live performances and events. If you want to do them right and leave a mark. You have to do them slower. Find a good location and work with the city. Work with the original people and then you'll have a successful event.
WCT: Are you planning something big for the anniversary?
PF: Well, first it really starts with the talent. So, you know, people I [ have ] to call [ are ] running through my mind. Some acts probably won't do it because they think they're too big for festivals. They want to go on tour. Things are getting more difficult. People today want added value that they are going to purchase. You know, to purchase a car there has to be some kind of added value to it with the purchase of that car. I think it's the same thing with music today. If we're going to go to a concert today I think people are going to want to look at a concert as they look at their iPods. They want to hear lots of different music like their iPods. So, the added value as you would get with an event like Lollapalooza is you have 130 groups.
So, instead of just going in and, I don't know, watching the Jonas Brothers. They're cute and all but, you know what I mean, they're adorable but half the audience has already moved on and that's what happens with these young groups. There are a lot of reasons why a Jonas Brothers concert doesn't work this year. They fix the prices very high and, really, what I'm getting back to is that the added value when you go see the Jonas Brothers is not the same as when you pay for 130 groups, like Lollapalooza, and you'll have this incredible weekend. You tell me?
WCT: That's a good point.
PF: So, even these tweens want added value.
WCT: Exactly. You know what's funny to me is that I was in college and I went to see the first Lollapalooza with my college friends. Their daughters are coming up to see the show. So, it's like a whole different generation are going to the show now.
PF: Yeah, we have an area called Kidzapalooza and I put it there because you got to figure that since 1991 these people could have children that are 18 years old. Crazy, right?
WCT: It is.
PF: I don't know about you but I practically consider myself to be 18 years old and I'm, like, 51 but I feel like I'm 18. So I thought there might be something good here because rather than go to some Disney show as their first concert, where I feel like they're kind of being spoon fed garbage as their first concert, kids can go to Lollapalooza and see some great groups and also have an area. This year we have Yo Gabba Gabba, which is a children's show that the White Stripes and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs have been on. Lance Rocket is a great DJ who's on the show. So, Lance Rocket is going to go and DJ for these little kids.
WCT: That's awesome.
PF: Yeah. So, they are getting indoctrinated into dance music from a good source.
WCT: Were you inspired by your sons? Is that what made you want to do it?
PF: Yeah, you know having children all day long. You're thinking about what's good for them and what you would like to turn them onto. Turn them on in the right way. I was lucky enough because I had a big brother and a big sister. My big brother loved rock and roll. So I was listening to The Beatles, The Stones and The Who when I was, like, three years old. My sister loved funk. So, I was listening to James Brown and Little Richard. So, that's why I have—I guess you would say—a more sophisticated taste in music. So, I was considering all of that when I was putting this Kidsapolooza area together. I would love for these little kids to come and say their first concert was Radiohead or Rage Against the Machine. As a result of all that overtime the Kidzapolooza stage is not only graced with kid-friendly music but people like Slash come and join me on stage in the kids' area. This year, Chrissie Hynde is going to go there and play. That's really fun.
WCT: So, what's your part with the performance part? Are you doing Jane's Addiction stuff or are you going to DJ?
PF: This year I'm going to go back to DJing. I've been working really hard on my electronic music. It really was validated this year. It blossomed and it really came into its own with people like Lady Gaga and David Guetta. I think all people are leaning towards electronica these days whether it's hip-hop artists or rock artists. Even Kings of Leon, one of the biggest dance hits of last year was one of their songs remixed.
WCT: That's a good point.
PF: I've done a few electronic records. You know, Jane's Addiction has always pulled me back. I love rock as well. We're in writing stages right now and we'll have an album out I think February or March of next year.
WCT: I did want to say that at the first Lollapalooza, when you were playing with Jane's Addiction you said, "Do you any of you people have a problem with gay people?" And you said, "I'm gay." I know, you're not technically gay but it meant so much to me being in the closet and hearing everyone cheering for gay people. It means a lot to people when you do things like that.
PF: You know what? My pleasure, and it was easy. My position is easy when you get all of the people in the palm of your hand and you can drop a message on them and they'll take it. I'm very close to the gay community. My wife, Etty, is a dancer so most of our friends are gay and we love gay people.
I think the gay community should be looked upon as an example of a shining community. They're very clean and their lawns are very manicured, which is always appreciated. The biggest reason is that they're peaceful and loving. You never feel like you are going to go into a gay neighborhood and feel threatened. If anything, you feel welcomed. So rather than people bashing or making fun, they should look at the gay community as how they are, safe, friendly and clean. And you know what? They make plenty of money, too.
WCT: And they buy a lot of concert tickets to your shows, just like me. You never know who's listening in the audience, Perry.
PF: Exactly. See you at the show and I will be at an afterparty at Sound Bar.
WCT: Sounds good!
Lollapalooza takes over Grant Park Aug. 6-8; visit www.lollapalooza.com . Sound Bar is located at 226 W. Ontario; see www.sound-bar.com .
